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AIBA responds to WADA CRC: Anti-Doping is a Priority

June 11, 2018

Today, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) together with their legal team responded to inquiries by the WADA Compliance Review Committee (WADA CRC) related to the AIBA 2019 Men’s World Championships in Russia. In the response, AIBA continued to reaffirm its commitment in the fight against doping and its willingness to collaborate with its partners in finding the best solution for the Anti-Doping program during the event next year.

With just over one year to go until its World Championships, several options and alternatives are being proposed. As was the case with several other events hosted by countries with WADA-compliance issues, such as the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2018 IAAF Half Marathon Championships in Spain; AIBA is committed to fully collaborating with WADA as it finalizes plans for its World Championships – including the same options agreed to by FIFA which allows for independent anti-doping testing outside of the host country.

Tom Virgets, AIBA Executive Director, said: “AIBA has been working tirelessly to ensure that the 2019 Men’s World Championships in Russia next year is flawless. With one year to go, our planning is in full swing and this includes ensuring that we have a secure and functional Anti-Doping program in place. Our athletes depend on us to protect them and the integrity of our sport. This is a top priority for us and we are working together with the host country and our partners to ensure that we deliver a successful and clean event.”

Gafur Rahimov, AIBA Interim President, said: “We are committed to ensuring that the World Championships in Sochi next year will be a great success. Russia has had a long and successful history in hosting major Boxing events; their state-of-the-art facilities and newly built infrastructure combined with the passion their fans have for boxing have all the makings for a fantastic event.”

The AIBA 2019 Men’s World Championships was awarded to Russia in July 2017 when no other viable bid applications were put forth and under a different edition of the WADA Code. Since then compliance conditions have been updated with new rules. The AIBA 2019 Men’s World Championships is a key competition serving as a qualification event in the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Ensuring the continued preparations of this event is therefore in the best interest of the athletes.